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Kelly Ayotte on defense over gun vote

A February WMUR Granite State poll showed that 88 percent of New Hampshire adults support background checks. And Ayotte’s approval rating has taken a hit in the wake of her vote — a recent Public Policy Polling survey showed that half of Granite State voters were less likely to support her in 2016 as a result of her ‘no’ vote on guns. A separate University of New Hampshire poll last month found her support holding steady, with 50 percent approving of her performance.

Ayotte’s town halls have hardly been promoted by her office, and she emphasizes bipartisanship on issues ranging from slashing the deficit to fixing Obamacare. The topics of question have been carefully screened by moderators. And she has refused to be interviewed by reporters.

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There’s a long time between now and 2016, when Ayotte faces voters for a second time. Unlike her first election in the GOP wave of 2010, the 2016 election will take place during a presidential year, changing the dynamics considerably. And unlike other Northeastern states, New Hampshire has heavy gun ownership, with some surveys projecting about 47 percent of families own a gun.

Indeed, gun-rights activists are lionizing Ayotte, calling her “common-sense Kelly” for opposing the Senate plan, which was advanced with the help of another Northeastern Republican, Pat Toomey. The NRA — which has awarded Ayotte an “A” rating — is already on the air defending her for opposing “misguided” gun laws.

“We’ve had pendulum elections since I lost my election in 2006,” said former Rep. Jeb Bradley, the moderator of a town hall Tuesday who screened questioners’ topics. “Every cycle has seen the pendulum swing one way or another. … The pendulum is more likely to swing back to the center and center-right.”

The 44-year-old Ayotte, a mother of two, served for five years as state attorney general before winning her election in 2010 to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Judd Gregg, the Republican who voted to reinstate the assault weapons ban in 2004. Her hard-fought primary win drew the support of Sarah Palin, but she won easily in the general election against former Rep. Paul Hodes. Before serving as state attorney general, Ayotte worked as a state prosecutor, chief of the homicide unit, including investigating the 2001 killings of two Dartmouth professors.

Ayotte points to her law enforcement background when she argues for greater prosecutions under existing laws and changes to the mental health system to prevent certain individuals from purchasing firearms.

“Overall, it’s a 50-50 issue,” said former New Hampshire GOP Sen. John Sununu. “I think a lot of the groups that are criticizing Kelly right now are part of the special interest cycle — which means the right thing to do is vote your conscience.”